Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’, particularly selected for its fruit size, ease of harvest, high and early yield potential, and flavor of fruit, is disclosed.

Latin name: Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ originated from a controlled cross between the proprietary female parent ‘924AB 69’ (unpatented) and the male parent ‘DrisStrawSixtyFour’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,936). Progeny plants from this cross, including ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’, were asexually propagated via stolons in Huamantla, Tlaxcala, Mexico in June 2016. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ was later specifically identified and selected in Tangancicuaro, Michoacan, Mexico in November 2016.

‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and has undergone testing at test plots in Tangancicuaro and Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico for five years (2017 to 2022). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ was particularly selected for its fruit size, ease of harvest, high and early yield potential, and flavor of fruit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Unless otherwise indicated, the photographs are of plants that are six months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the upper surface (top row) and lower surface (bottom row) of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’.

FIG. 4 illustrates the upper surface (top row) and lower surface (bottom row) of leaves of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’.

FIG. 5 illustrates whole plants of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Tangancicuaro and Tapalpa, Mexico from 2017 to 2022. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ was taken from plants that were six months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘924AB 69’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—‘DrisStrawSixtyFour’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.             30,936). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—35.3 cm.         -   Diameter.—29.8 cm.         -   Height/width ratio.—1.18.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—4.0.         -   Growth habit.—Upright.         -   Density of foliage.—Medium.         -   Vigor.—Medium. -   Stolon:     -   -   Overall color.—RHS N144B (Strong yellow).         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent or very weak.         -   Anthocyanin color (when present).—RHS 63A (Strong purplish             red).         -   Density of pubescence.—Sparse. -   Fruiting truss:     -   -   Length (from crown to base of terminal flower or             fruit).—17.72 cm.         -   Diameter (at base of truss).—1.2036 cm.         -   Number of berries per truss.—9.6.         -   Attitude at first picking.—Semi-erect.         -   Color (at base of truss).—RHS 145B (Light yellow green). -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of leaf upper surface.—RHS 139A (Dark yellowish             green).         -   Color of leaf lower surface.—RHS 147B (Moderate yellow             green).         -   Blistering.—Strong.         -   Glossiness.—Absent or weak.         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: 7.6 cm. Width: 7.5 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.01. Number of teeth per terminal             leaflet: 26.1. Overall shape: Orbicular. Shape of base:             Obtuse. Shape of apex: Rounded. Margin: Serrate to crenate.             Margin profile: Involute (Margins rolled inwards). Shape in             cross section: Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 132 mm. Diameter: 3.612 mm. Overall color:             RHS 144B (Strong yellow green). Pubescence: Medium. Attitude             of hairs: Horizontal. Bract frequency (number present on             each petiole): 1.58.         -   Petiolule.—Length: 17.37 mm. Diameter: 1.99 mm. Color: RHS             141C (Strong yellowish green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 18.33 mm. Width: 9.73 mm. Stipule color:             RHS 137C (Moderate yellow green). Anthocyanin coloration:             Strong. Anthocyanin color: RHS 46A (Strong red). Pubescence:             Sparse. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Number of flowers per plant.—20.4.         -   Position of inflorescence in relation to foliage.—Above             foliage.         -   Flowering interval.—October to February.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Upwards.         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 24.8 mm. Arrangement of petals: Free.             Size of calyx in relation to corolla: Same size. Stamen:             Present. Receptacle color: RHS N144C (Strong yellow green).             Anther color: RHS 153C (Strong greenish yellow).         -   Petal.—Length: 14.2 mm. Width: 13.8 mm. Length/width ratio:             1.02. Number of petals per flower: 6. Color of upper             surface: RHS NN155C (White). Color of lower surface: RHS             NN155B (White). Overall shape: Orbicular. Shape of apex:             Rounded. Margin: Entire. Shape of base: Concavo-convex.         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 47.5 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length: 21.3 mm. Width: 11.65 mm. Number of sepals             per flower: 15.8. Overall shape: Elliptical. Margin:             Serrate. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit size.—Length: 41.6 mm. Width: 34.9 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.19.         -   Fruit hollow.—Length: 15.501 mm. Width: 9.141 mm.             Length/width ratio: 1.69.         -   Shape.—Cordate.         -   Difference in shape of terminal and other fruits.—None or             very slight.         -   Fruit color.—RHS 45B (Vivid red).         -   Evenness of color.—Slightly uneven.         -   Glossiness.—Strong.         -   Evenness of surface.—Slightly uneven.         -   Width of band without achenes.—Absent or very narrow.         -   Position of achenes.—Level with surface.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Downwards.         -   Diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit.—Slightly             larger.         -   Adherence of calyx.—Very strong.         -   Firmness.—Medium firm.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS N34B (Strong reddish             orange).         -   Evenness of flesh color.—Slightly uneven.         -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.         -   Color of core.—RHS 35C (Strong yellowish pink).         -   Sweetness/soluble solids (in ° Brix).—10.5.         -   Titratable acidity (% as citric acid).—0.37%.         -   Individual fruit weight.—26.4 g/fruit.         -   Achenes.—Number of achenes per fruit: 76. Weight: 0.010             g/achene. Color of upper (sunward) side: RHS N34A (Moderate             red). Color of lower (shaded) side: RHS 1A (Brilliant             greenish yellow).         -   Fruiting.—Harvest interval: Early October to mid-March. Type             of bearing: Fully remontant. Productivity: 21,584 kg to             30,741 kg of fruit per hectare per season from six-             month-old plants when grown in Tangancicuaro, Michoacan,             Mexico.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND REFERENCE VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ differs from the female parent proprietary strawberry plant ‘924AB 69’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ has earlier fruit production, larger fruit size, and sweeter fruit than ‘924AB 69’.

‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ differs from the male parent ‘DrisStrawSixtyFour’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,936) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ has an upright growth habit, strong leaf blistering, absent or very weak stolon anthocyanin coloration, and strong stipule anthocyanin coloration, whereas ‘DrisStrawSixtyFour’ has a spreading growth habit, medium leaf blistering, very strong stolon anthocyanin coloration, and weak stipule anthocyanin coloration.

‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ differs from the reference variety ‘Florida Radiance’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,363) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ has cordate fruit shape, medium petiole pubescence, serrate to crenate terminal leaflet margins, and fully remontant type of bearing, whereas ‘Florida Radiance’ has fruit with a mostly medium conic shape, light to medium petiole pubescence, crenate terminal leaflet margins, and non-remontant type of bearing.

‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ differs from the reference variety ‘Sayulita’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ has a medium fruit size, fruit with medium firmness, and an average fruit Brix value of 10.5, whereas ‘Sayulita’ has a large fruit size, firm fruit, and average fruit Brix value of 7.8. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawNinetyEight’ as shown and described herein. 